STEP 4 -Implemenation
HOW WILL YOU IMPLEMENT YOUR ASSESSMENT PLAN?
Just as the program is responsible for the Assessment Plan design and Annual Report, it also is responsible for designing and managing the varied aspects involved with implementation. Although the program Assessment Coordinator likely will provide oversight and coordination, involving faculty in the implementation process is strongly recommended.
Many of us have had the experience of seeing a creative and carefully crafted design fail to materialize because the implementation logistics were not equally well thought through. The devil is in the details! Some of the details that should be considered early on include:
- Who will manage the planning process?
- Developing the assessment plan should be a discussion in which all program faculty participate; who will facilitate this process? The assessment plan will need to be drafted, shared with faculty for review and entered on the Assessment Office web site. Again, it should be clear who is responsible to see it happens.
- Communication is an important part of planning. In addition to communication with colleagues and the Assessment Office, we recommend that care be taken to inform students of the program’s Student Learning Outcomes so they clearly understand the larger context and goals of the curriculum. How will this communication occur – web site, handout, on course syllabi – and who is responsible to communicate it?
- When and where will the assessments take place?
- If assessments are imbedded in courses, it is important to clarify with the instructors exactly what the process is for using the paper, exam, project, etc. as part of the program Student Learning Outcome assessment as well. Instructors need to know their role and how to handle the data, e.g., perhaps all or only a sample of student work will be used.
- Who collects the assessment data?
- Again, this may involve instructors for course-embedded assessments, or someone else may take responsibilities for collecting the data. Understanding who is responsible to do what, when and how is clearly important to clarify will all involved.
- Where and how are the data stored?
- If you are using electronic storage or hard copies in file folders, how do the data get there? Who will set this storage system up and manage it? Who has access to the data, is it secure?
- Who manages the data?
- Some data analysis needs to happen in order for faculty to more easily review the assessment results, discuss what it means, and decide what the implications are for program modification. Who will organize, analyze and summarize the data for other faculty to see?
- Is there an implementation plan?
- Having such a plan, in writing, can be very helpful to insure critical details have been addressed. You may find it useful to use the Implementation Plan worksheet.
To complete Step Four in the Assessment Plan Template (the facsimile), please enter a brief description of your implementation plan.
For example:
